Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design vs. Sony Xperia 1 III: A Flagship Face-Off

The Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design and the Sony Xperia 1 III represent distinct philosophies in the high-end smartphone market. The Huawei prioritizes a luxurious design and rapid charging, while the Sony focuses on a professional-grade multimedia experience, particularly for video creators. This comparison dissects their core strengths to determine which device delivers the most compelling package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and future-proofing, the Sony Xperia 1 III emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset, coupled with a robust 82-hour endurance rating, provides a smoother, more reliable experience, especially for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. While the Huawei boasts faster charging, the Sony’s overall package is more balanced.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design Sony Xperia 1 III
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 - SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA (specific)
Launch
Announced2020, October 222021, April 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, November 04Available. Released 2021, August 25
Body
BuildGlass front, ceramic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.9 x 75.5 x 10.1 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.40 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight234 g (8.25 oz)186 g / 187.1 g (mmWave) (6.56 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistantIP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1344 x 2772 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~456 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.76 inches, 115.7 cm2 (~94.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, HDR10, 90HzOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetKirin 9000 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUMali-G78 MP24Adreno 660
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 SFS 1.0UFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Quad50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 20 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)-
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
Triple-12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 70mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 105mm (telephoto), 1/2.9", dual pixel PDAF, 3x/4.4x optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.6", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps1080p@30fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass, infrared thermometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -Native Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless30W wired, PD, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsCeramic White, Ceramic Black, Collector EditionFrosted Black, Frosted Gray, Frosted Purple
ModelsNOP-AN00XQBC62/V, XQBC52V.UKCX, SO-51B, SOG03, A101SO, XQ-BC62, XQ-BC72, XQ-BC52, XQ-BC01, XQ-BC11, XQ-BC21, XQ-BC72
PriceAbout 1400 EUR€ 505.26 / $ 903.43
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 82h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 607423 (v8) GeekBench: 3515 (v5.1) GFXBench: 54fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design

  • Blazing-fast 66W wired charging
  • Luxurious Porsche Design aesthetic
  • 50W wireless charging capability

  • Potential software limitations due to geopolitical factors
  • Lack of detailed camera specifications

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • Excellent 82-hour battery endurance
  • Powerful Snapdragon 888 processor
  • Professional-grade video recording capabilities

  • Slower charging speeds compared to Huawei
  • Less distinctive design compared to Porsche Design

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 1 III features a 6.5-inch display capable of reaching 620 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Huawei’s display specs aren’t provided, the Porsche Design branding suggests a high-quality panel. However, the Xperia 1 III’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a superior viewing experience with deeper blacks. The Xperia 1 III’s focus on color accuracy, a hallmark of Sony’s displays, is likely to appeal to professionals needing precise color representation. The lack of PWM dimming information for the Huawei raises potential concerns for users sensitive to flicker, while Sony’s implementation is generally well-regarded.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are positioned as camera powerhouses, but approach photography and videography differently. The context data only states 'Photo / Video' for both, lacking specifics. However, Sony’s history strongly suggests a focus on manual controls and professional video features on the Xperia 1 III, including 4K 120fps recording. The Huawei, while likely capable, traditionally leans towards AI-driven image processing. Without sensor size details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Sony’s expertise in image sensor technology suggests a competitive advantage. The absence of details regarding OIS and lens apertures on both devices hinders a complete assessment.

Performance

The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Sony Xperia 1 III utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm), while the Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design is powered by the Kirin 9000 5G (also 5nm). The Snapdragon 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz, offers a performance advantage over the Kirin 9000’s Cortex-A77 core at 3.13 GHz, particularly in single-core tasks. The Xperia 1 III’s architecture, with three Cortex-A78 cores at 2.42 GHz, provides a more balanced performance profile than the Kirin 9000’s configuration. Both utilize 5nm fabrication, but Qualcomm’s optimizations generally lead to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Xperia 1 III’s LPDDR5 RAM further contributes to its responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 1 III boasts an impressive endurance rating of 82 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified, this rating suggests efficient power management. The Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design counters with significantly faster charging: 66W wired, 50W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless. The Xperia 1 III offers 30W wired charging with PD and 50% charge in 30 minutes, alongside wireless and reverse wireless charging, but falls short of the Huawei’s speeds. The Huawei’s charging advantage is ideal for users who need quick top-ups, while the Xperia 1 III prioritizes longevity between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design if you demand the fastest possible wired and wireless charging speeds, and appreciate a unique, luxury aesthetic. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and value a statement piece. Buy the Sony Xperia 1 III if you are a content creator, particularly focused on video, or a power user who needs long battery life and a consistently high level of performance without thermal throttling. It’s the better choice for those who prioritize a professional-grade multimedia experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000 overheat under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 9000 is a powerful chipset, it's known to be less efficient than the Snapdragon 888 in terms of thermal management. This means the Mate 40 RS Porsche Design is more likely to experience throttling – a reduction in performance to prevent overheating – during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. The Xperia 1 III’s Snapdragon 888, with Qualcomm’s optimizations, generally handles heat more effectively.
❓ How does the Sony Xperia 1 III's video recording compare to other flagship phones?
The Sony Xperia 1 III excels in video recording, offering features typically found in professional camcorders. It supports 4K 120fps recording, manual controls over focus, shutter speed, and white balance, and utilizes Sony’s renowned color science. This makes it a standout choice for videographers and content creators who demand precise control and high-quality results.
❓ Is the Huawei Mate 40 RS Porsche Design still receiving software updates and security patches?
Due to ongoing geopolitical factors and restrictions on Huawei’s access to Google services, software updates and security patches may be less frequent and comprehensive compared to the Sony Xperia 1 III. This is a significant consideration for users who prioritize long-term software support and security.